File:DSC02187 - Reconstruction of Louisbourg (8175961414).jpg

English: Getting closer and soon we will be inside, it wasn't open yet. It opens to the public at 09:30am and this was taken at 08:47am.

Fortress Louisbourg is North America's largest reconstructed historical site and a fantastic place to visit and spend a day.

In 1961 the Government of Canada started a $25 million dollar reconstruction project, rebuilding approximately a quarter of the original town and fortifications. The buildings, yards, gardens and streets were recreated as they were in the 1740s, immediately preceding Louisbourg's first siege.

The work at Louisbourg required much research effort. Archaeological excavation yielded millions of artifacts as well as the ruins of fortifications and buildings. Some 750,000 pages of documents and 500 maps and plans were copied from archives in France, England, Scotland, the United States and Canada. The historical evidence revealed a lot about the life at Louisbourg and the French in North America.

The reconstruction of Louisbourg is massive in size, covering 12 acres. The 60+ reconstructed buildings represent only 20% of the original Louisbourg. The reconstruction was aided by unemployed coal miners from Cape Breton, many of them learned French masonry techniques from the 18th century and other skills to create an accurate replica. When possible the original stones were used in the reconstruction.

From the Visitors Reception Centre, buses transport visitors to the outside edge of the fort, right beside one of the many fish houses that were located on Louisbourg Harbour.

Archaeologists continue to excavate and do research in many parts of the fortifications.

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Fortress was the largest French Fortress and Naval Base in North America and a played a major part in trade and cod fishing. Construction of the fortified town started in 1719 and continued until it was captured by the British in 1745. It was returned to the French in 1748 by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

On June 1, 1758 a massive British force arrived at Louisbourg – 157 ships,16,000 troops and almost 2,000 mounted guns set to attack the French fortress. The French had a force of 3,500 men, 218 guns and 5 warships. After a seven-week siege under the command of Brigadier General James Wolfe and Major General Jeffrey Amherst, the French surrendered their fortress and its people were deported to France.

The victory at Louisbourg made it possible for the British to move up the St. Lawrence River and the capture of Quebec City. Following Fortress Louisbourg's surrender in 1759, British engineers began the systematic reduction of Louisbourg's defenses in 1760 to prevent it being returned to the French by any future peace treaty.